Renee takes top honours

by Angela Banbury
EDFNL senior players gathered at Logan Park in Warragul last week for the 2026 senior vote count and presentation, recognising the standout performers across A, B and C grades and announcing the second EDFNL Netball Team of the Year.
A grade
The A grade vote count went down to the wire, with Buln Buln coach and centre Renee Cook claiming her first EDFNL A grade best and fairest with 38 votes, just one ahead of reigning winner and Neerim South coach Christie Urie on 37. Goalers Kimberley Edwards from Neerim South and Yarragon's Tayla Green were next on 25 votes.
Cook's win was built on an outstanding level of consistency, polling in 14 of the 18 home-and-away matches, including an impressive 10 best on court performances. Urie was just as difficult to keep out of the umpires' votes, polling in 15 matches and also collecting the maximum on 10 occasions.
B grade
Neerim South captain and centre Peta Matthews took out the B grade best and fairest with 30 votes, finishing six clear of Bunyip and league leading goal shooter Talise Berryman on 24. Catani defender Emily Warren and Neerim South wing attack, Jessica Wilson shared third place on 22 votes.
Matthews was a consistent vote-getter throughout the season, polling in 13 of the 18 home-and-away matches, including six best on court performances, while Berryman's runner up finish was an impressive result for the goal shooter.
C grade
Neerim South's captain and midcourter Emily Robb secured back-to-back league best and fairest awards with 29 votes ahead of Lang Lang goal shooter Abbey Miller finishing runner up on 26 votes and Robb's teammate Megan Preston third on 24 votes.
Robb recorded seven best on court performances and polled in 13 games on her way to consecutive trophies, while Miller was just one behind, voting in 12 of the 18 home-and-away games.
Neerim South took out the league goal throwing awards in all three senior grades.
The league's junior netball stars were celebrated at a separate event at the Downtowner, Warragul on Father's Day.
17 and under
The 17 and under count produced something particularly special, with Catani teammates Miley Warde and Ruby Francis sharing best and fairest honours on 33 votes apiece. With one controlling games through the centre and the other providing a major presence at goal attack, having two players from the same club finish tied at the top of a league count was a remarkable result. Ellinbank midcourter Ella Good finished runner-up on 24 votes.
The Catani pair were almost inseparable throughout the year and fittingly both polled in the final round to finish locked together on 33. Both players earned a best on court during the finals series and lined up in Saturday's grand final against Yarragon who had Addison Moore and Charlotte Kemp in equal fourth on 21 votes.
15 and under
In the 15 and under count, Poowong midcourter Mia Wilson took out the best and fairest with 32 votes, finishing four clear of Buln Buln defender Pippa Wells on 28. Poowong teammate Keesha Gooch and Trafalgar's Skyla Embleton shared third place on 27 votes.
The Pies midcourter was a regular vote-getter throughout the season, polling across 12 rounds, including votes in the final three games of the home-and-away season. Buln's defender was similarly consistent for Buln Buln, with the pair establishing themselves at the top end of the leader board during an entertaining count.
13 and under
The 13 and under count could not have been closer, with Yarragon defender Bridget Riddle claiming the best and fairest on 34 votes, just one vote clear of Buln Buln midcourter Macy Eastwell and last year's winner on 33. Buln Buln's Reb Kensley also was right in the mix, finishing third on 32 votes.
The Yarragon defender featured consistently throughout the season and polled in 16 matches, including votes in each of the final four rounds, to hold off Buln's fast-finishing midcourter. It capped an outstanding season for the young Panther defender, while Buln's runner-up finish added to an impressive year for Buln Buln going undefeated and lining up in Saturday's grand final.
The league's goal throwing awards also were presented with Buln Buln taking out both the 13 and 15 awards, while Catani claimed the 17s honour.